Mycobacteria - Smear and Culture

Concentrated smears are stained with auramine/rhodamine and read by fluorescence microscopy, and inoculated into broth-based and/or agar-based culture. Culture is held for eight weeks before negative is reported.

Portal Ordering Code: Mycobacteria Culture
CPT Code(s): 87116, 87206, 87015

Fee Schedule

Storage and Transport Criteria: Specimen Storage Specimen Transport

Acceptable Specimens

Minimum Volume

Frozen Range
-70°C - 0°C

Refrigerated Range
0.1°C - 8°C

Room Temperature Range
8.1°C - 30°C

Stability at
4°C - 25°C

Unprocessed sputum 2 mLs (5 mLs preferred) Reject Acceptable up to 7 days Acceptable up to 35°C for 3 days 8 hours

Sputum sediment 1 mL Reject Acceptable up to 7 days Reject 8 hours

Whole blood (heparin-green cap) 2 mLs (5 mLs preferred) Reject Reject Acceptable 8 hours

CSF 0.75 mLs Reject Reject Acceptable 8 hours

All other respiratory specimens 2 mLs (5 mLs preferred) Reject Acceptable Acceptable ≤ 1 hour 8 hours
Includes: Mycobacteria Culture, Concentration, Acid-Fast Bacilli Stain.

Reflexes to isolate identification (CPT 87118) and first line susceptibility testing (CPT 87118x4) if applicable.

Send out for TB genotyping (if applicable; no charge).
Methodology: Continuous Monitoring Broth Culture System and Conventional Culture and Microscopic Exam
Assay Category: FDA Approved
Reference Range: See laboratory report
Alternative Names: AFB smear and culture

TB smear and culture
Preferred Specimen(s): Unprocessed sputum

Sputum sediment

Whole blood (heparin-green cap)

CSF

All other respiratory specimens
Alternative Specimen(s): N/A
Minimum Volume: Unprocessed sputum - 2 mLs (5 mLs preferred)

Sputum sediment - 1 mL

Whole blood (heparin-green cap) - 2 mLs (5 mLs preferred)

CSF - 0.75 mL

All other respiratory specimens - 2 mLs (5 mLs preferred)
Special Instructions: EDTA (lavender/purple top tubes) and coagulated blood (red-top tubes) are not acceptable specimens.
Reject Criteria: Inadequately labeled specimens

Leaking specimens

QNS (quantities not sufficient)

Specimens not meeting the Storage & Transport criteria upon receipt at laboratory
Setup Schedule: Testing is performed on an as-needed basis.
Turn around time (TAT): 2 business days from arrival at the lab for smear.
8 weeks for culture.

Acceptable Specimens	Minimum Volume	Frozen Range -70°C - 0°C	Refrigerated Range 0.1°C - 8°C	Room Temperature Range 8.1°C - 30°C	Stability at 4°C - 25°C
		Specimen Storage			Specimen Transport
Unprocessed sputum	2 mLs (5 mLs preferred)	Reject	Acceptable up to 7 days	Acceptable up to 35°C for 3 days	8 hours
Sputum sediment	1 mL	Reject	Acceptable up to 7 days	Reject	8 hours
Whole blood (heparin-green cap)	2 mLs (5 mLs preferred)	Reject	Reject	Acceptable	8 hours
CSF	0.75 mLs	Reject	Reject	Acceptable	8 hours
All other respiratory specimens	2 mLs (5 mLs preferred)	Reject	Acceptable	Acceptable ≤ 1 hour	8 hours